Several texts devoted to the subject of infectious diseases have appeared in recent years. The second edition of Dr. Christie's book, in addition to its other merits, certainly excels in literary style. Writing of the near-disappearance of diphtheria he declared: "though fallen from its high estate, it may loiter in epidemiological sidewalks, ready to attack those who pass through..."; introducing varicella: "It is not clear how the chicken got into the chickenpox." Christie possesses a talent unique to medical writing, and the reader is the beneficiary. In this revision Christie has capably incorporated developments in such topics as serum hepatitis and infectious mononucleosis that have arisen since his original work of five years ago. He abandons tradition in the organization of the book itself by devoting all his attention to some 30 diseases with which he has had vast experience. As the title of the book indicates, the epidemiology of
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Jerry D. Smilack (1975) studied this question.